Google has invested more than $10 million in breakthrough geothermal energy technology called Enhanced Geothermal Systems. This funding also includes next-generation geothermal resource mapping, EGS information tools and a policy agenda for geothermal energy.

Conventional geothermal systems look for naturally occurring pockets of steam and hot water while the EGS process creates it's own "by fracturing hot rock, circulating water through the system, and using the resulting steam to produce electricity in a conventional turbine".

According to one MIT report, just 2% of the heat below the continental US (between 3 and 10 kilometers deep) is more than 2500 times the total annual energy used by the US.

Google's initiatives also focus on solar thermal power, advanced wind along with EGS and other potential breakthrough technologies. The difference between this technology and using solar and wind is that it is available 24/7.

Google's goal is to produce enough renewable energy to power a city the size of San Fransisco, in years, not decades.

Our deck gets a lot of sun in the afternoon and the outsides of the house are pelted with the heat. We have cellular blinds on the way for inside insulation but we needed a solution for the deck itself that would also absorb some of the heat from reaching the inside of the house.

We decided to go with bamboo shades that we would mount on the outside of the deck to keep the sun from the side of the house that would also let us use the deck in the afternoon.

Bamboo shades of course are made from bamboo which is a rapidly renewable resource. In fact it can grow as much as 3 feet per day. It is a great alternative to using wood (which isn't as easily renewable); also it is easy to clean and insulates very well.

We went down to Rona and got a few of them. They had sizes ranging from 36 inches to 96 inches in length and 72 inches in height.

They were extremely easy to mount; we needed a wood surface, measured, drilled a pilot hole and screwed in the hook then mounted the bamboo shades on them.

I was surprised at the difference these blinds made. Not only was the deck bearable now, the inside of the house was much much cooler.

State-of-the-art green homes can be sold at market price 

Weatherford Place in Roswell Georgia is a green residential community. It's described as a "solar community of net-zero energy homes" built to the greenest building standards.

In fact, each "EcoCraft" home is at a platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) level. The highest level which includes points for such things as reuse of materials, pollution reduction, green power, rapitable renewable resources, etc. It's the first project of it's kind built using "Nature's Code".

The solar power generation in the community is what differentiates this development from the rest. One of the unique features is that each house serves as a power source for the community. The solar energy collected from the houses are put in to the power grid and used by everyone. The specifications show that each home should generate more than it uses thus making each home a net-zero energy home.

The homes also use 2/3 less energy than regular homes and use solar power to heat water, etc. Each home will have monitors and sensors to measure energy consumption and the overall eco-friendliness. The data will be used in energy-efficiency studies.

The prices of these homes are listed at $750,000 USD (for homes between 2500 to 3900 square feet), but have already appraised at $1 million. This project indicates that green homes can be built to LEED standards and can be profitable.

Source: Article in Event Magazine by Maria Saporta titled "Green Homes"

Dell is making strides to Go Green

It wasn't long ago that Dell as a company was crucified for its poor environmental efforts. But things have changed. On Earth Day, April 22, Michael Dell got acclaim as being one of the most forward thinking CEOs when it comes to eco-friendliness.

Dell introduced a new energy-efficient computer that will be available later this year. It is constructed from recyclable materials and encased in bamboo. The new coputer will be about 80% smaller but just as powerful as a desktop tower. It will use about 70% less power and it will sell between $500 to $700 USD.

Dell is reducing its own operating costs by cutting energy costs, reducing packaging, and taking other steps to help the environment. Dell's headquarters is powered by 100% renewable energy and the company plans to be carbon neutral by the end of the year. The company is able to reduce the annual cost of running its best-selling corporate desktop from $100 to $22 a year.

E-friendly renovation tips that can increase the value of your investment

• Windows - switch to triple-glazed that are installed properly
• Lighting - use sensor lights, skylights, compact-flourescent bulbs
• Heating - get high-efficiency furnaces, radiant heating, solar panels, solar heated hot water tanks (hot water tanks are 25% of your gas bill)
• Insulation - pack insulation in the walls, basement, attic, around pipes
• Water - install low flow toilets and showerheads, install on-demand hot water heaters
• Paint - use paint that has no VOCs (these cause breathing problems)
• Carpet - install wool carpets that don't pollute the air and are renewable,
• Floors - use renewable resources such as bamboo or cork or recycle old materials
• Surfaces - use products such as PaperStone that is made from recycled paper instead of non-renewable stone

Tips gathered from Joanna Pachner's article titled "Green renos increase a home's value".

Student Transportation of Canada expands program in Ontario

235 of 1000 yellow school buses throughout Ontario will benefit from the biodiesel fuel program. 

Biodiesel is made from naturally renewable resources such as corn, soybean and canola oil which produces cleaner emmisions in the environment.

The program is beneficial for the students, drivers and the community.

Biodiesel fuel costs less and minimizes wear and tear on the bus engines further reducing maintenance costs.